Reply #3: Kerry: Bush Failed to Enforce Trade Pacts [View All]

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4022785,00.html

Kerry: Bush Failed to Enforce Trade Pacts

Monday April 26, 2004 5:31 PM


By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

 WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - <snip>Kerry said Bush is not taking action to stop jobs from going overseas, such as aggressively filing unfair-trade cases with the World Trade Organization, or WTO. <snip>

Kerry traveled nearly 1,000 feet below ground to tour a mine in Glen Easton, W.Va. When mine workers asked about how he would create more jobs, Kerry criticized Bush and said the government should invest in building more schools, roads and buildings. Such infrastructure investments would put 50,000 people to work for $1 billion, he said.<snip>

With China, for example, the report says the administration has taken limited action on software piracy from China and the country's unfair trade policies for cotton, poultry, soybeans, wheat and high-tech products. It also says Bush has not provided relief to American workers and companies hurt by increased imports from China. <snip>

Kerry's report notes that the administration has filed just 10 WTO cases during his three years in office, compared to 65 during the last six years of the Clinton administration. Democrats in Congress have also complained about that record.

Kerry offered a six-part plan to enforce trade agreements, including efforts to strengthen worker's rights, eliminate abusive child labor and stop illegal currency manipulation. He said he would double the U.S. Trade Representative's budget for enforcement and create an advocacy office there for small businesses.